The Civil Rights Program is a concerted effort on behalf of Virginia and Maryland Civil Rights Staffs to match skills of DBEs, MBEs, and SWaMs with the prime contractors. The Civil Rights Programs for Virginia and Maryland have been active throughout the construction of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, along with the Virginia and Maryland Approach Spans, and bicycle/pedestrian paths. Our focus has been on providing perspective Disadvantaged and Minority Business Enterprise Business (DBEs/MBEs), and Virginia Small, Woman and Minority (SWaM) Business Enterprises with 1st and 2nd tier subcontracting opportunities. The Civil Rights Staff has been successful assisting the various Prime Contractors with meeting their DBE contract goals, as well as completing their construction activities.

On both Maryland and Virginia Contracts, opportunity bulletins and notices are routinely sent to DBEs, MBEs and SWaMs that have shown a general or specific interest in construction work opportunities, and business partnerships. Contract pre-bid meetings, contract mandatory and non-mandatory showings, and one- on -one outreach and technical assistance meetings, training sessions, and partnership meetings are all part of the local and regional outreach to the small business community.

Over the years, the Civil Rights Staffs has used advertisements in local targeted market print media (newspapers) and radio slots to announce outreach sessions. Additionally mailing lists from community associations, churches and business/ trade groups have been used to announce business opportunities. As the construction work on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and its approach spans reaches completion, the Civil Rights Staff will begin to focus on distributing pertinent information on other construction programs in the region via email, and text messages.

In Virginia, the Civil Rights Team is assisting contractors with past experience working on the Wilson Bridge Construction Program find opportunities on the Virginia Mega Projects. For more information on the Virginia Mega Projects, please visit www.virginiamegaprojects.com and schedule a meeting with the Civil Rights dedicated to the Mega Projects. Any DBE, MBE or SWaM can get additional assistance in developing marketing plans for the Mega Projects by contacting Pawnee Wentt, Assistant Civil Rights Manager, Virginia Mega Projects Office, at 571-483-2600, or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

If you would like your firm’s products and services to be at the fingertips of the Contractors still working in the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Construction Program Corridor, click  register your firm in the Support Services Directory. This directory is updated monthly and given to Prime and Subcontractors. It is also available as a web based resource. This directory is a lists of certified DBEs, MBEs, SWaMs seeking work opportunities in the corridor. If you have any questions regarding the directory business profile, please contact Terry Garrett, DBE Program Consultant at 703-329-0300, or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .